POETRY AT MIAMI

“Lament of an Ancient Alumnus”

LAMENT OF AN ANCIENT ALUMNUS AT THE PROSPECT OF MODERN IMPROVEMENT, WHICH THREATENS THE DEMOLITION OF THE MAIN UNIVERSITY EDIFICE. TUNE--"Woodman Spare that Tree!" Builder! spare that pile! Touch not a single brick! In youth, I spent a while Within its walls--how thick! 'Twas our forfather's hand That placed in on this spot; Then, builder, let it stand-- What though its timbers rot! That old familiar pile, Whose gray on painted crown Provoked sardonic smile-- And wouldst thou tear it down? Builder! forbear thy blow! E'en though its doorless halls Invite the rain and snow, Oh, spare its tottering walls! When but an idle boy, I here sought learning's shade, And with a freshman's joy With classmates, studied, played. My parents sent me here, Kind teachers pressed my hand-- Forgive this salty tear, But let that pile stand! My purse-strings round thee cling, Close as thy bark, old friend, Through here the wild winds ring, And thy walls and timbers rend! Old pile! the storm still brave! And, builder, leave the spot; While I've a dime to save I'll gladly see it rot! Aliquis.

“Lament of an Ancient Alumnus”

“Aliquis”

The Miami Student (May 8, 1867, Oxford Ohio), 1.

For many years “Old Main,” which was located near the site of today’s Harrison Hall, was the main classroom building and the center of student life at Miami.

The first issue of the Miami Student featured this pseudonymous poem about a proposal to tear down the deteriorating “Old Main.” In this poem, set to the often-parodied popular tune, “Woodman Spare that Tree,” a Miami alumnus pleads nostalgically for the preservation of Old Main, until the speaker realizes that their own money may be required to preserve the structure. This revelation alters the speaker’s point of view: “I’ll gladly see it rot!” Nevertheless, Old Main stood until 1958.

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